Police officer from Navojoa, Mexico, sentenced for drug smuggling




Associated Press - March 18, 2008 6:44 PM ET

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) - The U.S. Attorney's Office says a Mexican federal police officer has been sentenced to more than 7 years in prison for smuggling nearly 6,500 pounds of marijuana into the U.S.

Prosecutors say Ruben Rochin-Gutierrez of Navojoa, Mexico pleaded guilty last year to conspiracy with the intent to distribute 6,489 pounds of marijuana. He was sentenced to 87 months in prison in U.S. District Court in Tucson, Ariz. on Monday.

According to prosecutors, the 41-year-old used his position as a federal police officer to help pass marijuana through his area and into the U.S.

The U.S. Attorney's Office says Rochin-Gutierrez negotiated with undercover FBI agents to send three shipments into the U.S. between 2004 and 2006.

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